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University of Tampa

On Saturday we walked around downtown Tampa which took us across the University of Tampa campus. We were walking our dogs and three students came up to say hello and pet the dogs. They were all pretty happy to be here at this school especially since it was about 70 degrees warmer out than back home in Chicago or Boston. The architecture of these buildings was too much for me to resist, nor was I the only one. There were several weddings taking place with all the photographers using these as backdrop.

On Saturday we walked around downtown Tampa which took us across the University of Tampa campus. We were walking our dogs and three students came up to say hello and pet the dogs. They were all pretty happy to be here at this school especially since it was about 70 degrees warmer out than back home in Chicago or Boston. The architecture of these buildings was too much for me to resist, nor was I the only one. There were several weddings taking place with all the photographers using these as backdrop.

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Kite Ballet

This is a snapshot of a kite ballet. Yes, you read that right. I never knew of such a thing either. A dozen kites, flying in unison, creating choreographed formations across the sky, synchronized to music. That is a kite ballet. And if you think that sounds crazy, you should see it in action. The skill level of the kite flyers is nothing short of amazing. Hand eye coordination is redefined to new levels; the people flying these are like puppet masters. Puppets, dancing across the sky to music; is that over the top or what?

This is a snapshot of a kite ballet. Yes, you read that right. I never knew of such a thing either. A dozen kites, flying in unison, creating choreographed formations across the sky, synchronized to music. That is a kite ballet. And if you think that sounds crazy, you should see it in action. The skill level of the kite flyers is nothing short of amazing. Hand eye coordination is redefined to new levels; the people flying these are like puppet masters. Puppets, dancing across the sky to music; is that over the top or what?

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Windy Day

Yesterday we had a bit of wind. By that I mean they were advising us not to drive over the bridge, trees were blown down and if you wore a hat you might have to chase it down the street. Which is another way of saying it was an awesome day for kitesurfing. This is at a point midway on the Sunshine Skyway where kite surfers congregate. I had it in my mind to check it out yesterday and I'm glad I did. It looked so fun that I might just have to try it out myself one day. You never know.

Yesterday we had a bit of wind. By that I mean they were advising us not to drive over the bridge, trees were blown down and if you wore a hat you might have to chase it down the street. Which is another way of saying it was an awesome day for kitesurfing. This is at a point midway on the Sunshine Skyway where kite surfers congregate. I had it in my mind to check it out yesterday and I’m glad I did. It looked so fun that I might just have to try it out myself one day. You never know.

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Lone Thunder Cloud

A lone thundercloud floats over the Gulf of Mexico near Tampa Florida. This is a common sight most of the year; they resemble pillars rising with a powerful force that is best viewed from a distance. Such was the case on this warm evening a few months ago on Anna Maria Island not far from my home.

A lone thundercloud floats over Tampa Bay in Florida. This is a common sight most of the year; they resemble pillars rising with a powerful force that is best viewed from a distance. Such was the case on this warm evening a few months ago on Anna Maria Island not far from my home.

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Tampa Airport

Tampa is the airport I fly out of most often. Only the other night it wasn't me but my wife returning from a long trip. That afforded me the opportunity to park on the top level and take some long exposures. The lights at the top are jets landing on the runway behind terminal F. It was a lot of fun being at the airport and not necessarily having to travel. I wasn't the only one, others were up here watching the action snapping photos as well. A great way to kill an hour.

Tampa is the airport I fly out of most often. Only the other night it wasn’t me but my wife returning from a long trip. That afforded me the opportunity to park on the top level and take some long exposures. The lights at the top are jets landing on the runway behind terminal F. It was a lot of fun being at the airport and not necessarily having to travel. I wasn’t the only one, others were up here watching the action snapping photos as well. A great way to kill an hour.

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Bridge to Somewhere

I captured this at dusk near the Skyway bridge to St. Petersburg the other day. There's a little highway rest stop and as I pulled up a couple of truckers were sitting in their cabs just watching this scene unfold in front of them. As rest stops go this is fairly scenic and each time I come here get inspired in some new way. If this seems to you like a relaxing scene you'd be right. Which is why I need to file this away before I start my week, otherwise I might not get anything done.

I captured this at dusk near the Skyway bridge to St. Petersburg the other day. There’s a little highway rest stop and as I pulled up a couple of truckers were sitting in their cabs just watching this scene unfold in front of them. As rest stops go this is fairly scenic and each time I come here get inspired in some new way. If this seems to you like a relaxing scene you’d be right. Which is why I need to file this away before I start my week, otherwise I might not get anything done.

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St Petes Beach

A few weeks back when we had a lot of fog I captured this image of St Petes beach in Florida. Despite the fog these cabanas were setup and ready use. I wondered to myself who would needs these in the fog, but within thirty minutes the fog had lifted and many of the cabanas had been taken. Fog or no fog, this is a very popular beach.

A few weeks back when we had a lot of fog I captured this image of St Petes beach in Florida. Despite the fog these cabanas were setup and ready use. I wondered to myself who would needs these in the fog, but within thirty minutes the fog had lifted and many of the cabanas had been taken. Fog or no fog, this is a very popular beach.

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Fort De Soto Sand

This beach is at the end of Fort DeSoto State Park in St. Petersburg Florida. This area is a particular favorite as it seems remote, yet accessible with a short drive. With any luck I’m coming up here in a week or so to see what I can see. Seems every time I come up I discover something new, some forgotten beach, old pier or trail. And as you can see the sand here is indeed white. In fact the beaches in region of Florida have powdery white sand which is soft and inviting. However unless you brush it off it makes a mess of the car floor mats, a small price to pay. Floor mats aside, is it any wonder the population of Florida doubles this time of year?

This beach is at the end of Fort DeSoto State Park in St. Petersburg Florida. This area is a particular favorite as it seems remote, yet accessible with a short drive. With any luck I'm coming up here in a week or so to see what I can see. Seems every time I come up I discover something new, some forgotten beach, old pier or trail. And as you can see the sand here is indeed white. In fact the beaches in region of Florida have powdery white sand which is soft and inviting. However unless you brush it off it makes a mess of the car floor mats, a small price to pay. Floor mats aside, is it any wonder the population of Florida doubles this time of year?

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Southern Fresh

This is a little restaurant called Southern Fresh in Safety Harbor Florida that I had lunch at last week. Safety Harbor is a village near Tampa. I’d never been here so didn’t know what to expect but left a huge fan. The name says it all. The meals they prepare are indeed southern, I had BBQ pork and collard greens. I don’t do restaurant reviews so I’m not about to go into great detail other than to say it was the best pork and greens I’ve ever had. The waiter apologized on how long it took to prepare our meal, as he explained they make each order from scratch. I can attest to the taste and quality of food. Anyway, I snapped this with my iPhone on the way out. Check it out if you’re in the area.

This is a little restaurant called Southern Fresh in Safety Harbor Florida that I had lunch at last week. Safety Harbor is a village near Tampa. I'd never been here so didn't know what to expect but left a huge fan. The name says it all. The meals they prepare are indeed southern, I had BBQ pork and collard greens. I don't do restaurant reviews so I'm not about to go into great detail other than to say it was the best pork and greens I've ever had. The waiter apologized on how long it took to prepare our meal, as he explained they make each order from scratch. I can attest to the taste and quality of food. Anyway, I snapped this with my iPhone on the way out. Check it out if you're in the area.

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Clearwater Beach

Florida has more than it’s share of pirates, they’re everywhere. I took this last weekend at Clearwater Beach where it appears the pirates where just off shore. We also have a lot of bikers in Florida. More often than not they’re just fun loving retired dudes with big beards and bigger paunches, like my neighbor a few doors down. My theory is that the pirates of old reincarnated as bikers in Florida, and when they’re not riding their bikes they’re pretending to be pirates. That’s my theory and I’m sticking to it.

Florida has more than it's share of pirates, they're everywhere. I took this last weekend at Clearwater Beach where it appears the pirates where just off shore. We also have a lot of bikers in Florida. More often than not they're just fun loving retired dudes with big beards and bigger paunches, like my neighbor a few doors down. My theory is that the pirates of old reincarnated as bikers in Florida, and when they're not riding their bikes they're pretending to be pirates. That's my theory and I'm sticking to it.

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